Two HF Radios/One Antenna

[W4KVW]

Good chance of Front End Overload so I would use Two different antennas.I would not put another radio on the same antenna as my HF/6 meter radio.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[fourstringburn]

Just noticed the instructions state for a 2 transmitter/single antenna setup, the SWR cannot exceed 2.1 or it will trigger the arc plug. My SWR exceeds that on a few bands.

Yes, It says this as a precaution to "prevent" triggering of the arc pill from high voltages with an SWR over 2.1. Not the same as it will.

I have transmitted many accidentally forgetting to tune up with an SWR off the charts and never had problems yet.

This is where external tuners become invaluable especially if an amplifier is used. All your equipment will see the antenna tuner before the antenna. Plus an external antenna tuners can tune mismatches beyond the range of built in tuners.

Good luck with your setup!

73

 

[Riverman]

Good chance of Front End Overload so I would use Two different antennas.I would not put another radio on the same antenna as my HF/6 meter radio.

SIX-SHOOTER

Being a Nervous Nellie, I agree.

Don’t really want another antenna in the back yard and another hole in the wall so will likely set up my CB (when I get one) in the garage and put an Inverted V dipole (possibly made with Firestiks) in the attic. Had great success with that setup before. Some would say my having my ham station within the cozy confines of my home and my CB station out in the garage is the proper configuration. I don’t agree.

 

[Redbeard U812]

Move it all to the garage, set up a fridge, color TV, and toaster oven. Couple of lawn chairs.

 

[Riverman]

Move it all to the garage, set up a fridge, color TV, and toaster oven. Couple of lawn chairs.

I would, John, but when I get my Browning Golden Eagle I won’t have room for both. Come to think of it, the garage is no place for an Eagle. Guess I’ll have to sell my Yaesu and move the Browning inside. Until then, I guess I’ll just get a Connex CX-33HPC1 and put up with the heat and cold. And bugs.

 

[Slowmover]

Use an antenna switch.

I've used different switches in the past but now only use the Alpha-Delta.

I like the feel of the switch knob action and really like having all antenna ports on the same side rather than a Y configuration like most other switches. This makes a more easier install and cleaner appearance in your shack.

Also these switches have a common switch setting which keeps all antennas grounded when not in use. This can aide in static protection along with the replaceable arc protection slug.

These are more expensive but worth it to me. Consider buying the Delta 4 for future expansion so you only spend the money once.

If you are in the market soon for an external tuner, get a tuner with multiple antenna ports so you only need one switch for multiple radio's to go into it.

Otherwise, you can use 2 switches(one for radio's and the other for multiple antennas) and you can have any external antenna tuner, external SWR meter, and any other accessories patched between the 2 switches so all radio's can access them.

Always consider the future because most of us don't!

I recalled your persuasive reasons, but forgot the brand. Thx.

The Alpha Delta DELTA-4B at DX Engineering

.

 

[Redbeard U812]

I would, John, but when I get my Browning Golden Eagle I won’t have room for both. Come to think of it, the garage is no place for an Eagle. Guess I’ll have to sell my Yaesu and move the Browning inside. Until then, I guess I’ll just get a Connex CX-33HPC1 and put up with the heat and cold. And bugs.

I can tell you that you can have the Yaesu, Browning, and Connex all inside....climate control and everything.

Won't have to drill more holes in the house. I know that first one was painful. Simple solution.........


Make a BIGGER hole. Run that coax and have fun.

 

[Riverman]

I can tell you that you can have the Yaesu, Browning, and Connex all inside....climate control and everything.

Won't have to drill more holes in the house. I know that first one was painful. Simple solution.........


Make a BIGGER hole. Run that coax and have fun.

Won’t need the Connex once I get Browning. And I don’t have either yet.
Basically, this is all much ado about nothing right now.

That kinda sums up most of my threads.

 

[W4KVW]

I have a (5) position antenna switch connected to (5) different CB's on the same antenna but only one radio is ever used at the time.At all other times the others are in the OFF position.They all run thru a single ClearSpeech DSP unit so I have very little noise either. {:>)

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Riverman]

I have a (5) position antenna switch connected to (5) different CB's on the same antenna but only one radio is ever used at the time.At all other times the others are in the OFF position.They all run thru a single ClearSpeech DSP unit so I have very little noise either. {:>)

SIX-SHOOTER

Am guessing one of those five radios pings when you key the mic.

 

[W4KVW]

Am guessing one of those five radios pings when you key the mic.

Well the transmitter died so I just Sold it to a friend in Indiana that many know as:Fixer.I will find another one one day if i live that long.Most of the time I run my DAK X but whatever I'm in the mood for.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Slowmover]

Won’t need the Connex once I get Browning. And I don’t have either yet.
Basically, this is all much ado about nothing right now.

That kinda sums up most of my threads.

Nope . . . that’s MY line.

. I

 

[Riverman]

Nope . . . that’s MY line.

 

[Tallman]

I would, John, but when I get my Browning Golden Eagle I won’t have room for both. Come to think of it, the garage is no place for an Eagle. Guess I’ll have to sell my Yaesu and move the Browning inside. Until then, I guess I’ll just get a Connex CX-33HPC1 and put up with the heat and cold. And bugs.

Build on, or add an out building for your shack.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I bought this big switch from MFJ. It can do 6 radios and 6 antennas. They also make a 4 and 4. I know it's expensive but it fits so well in my setup. I can turn all my radios on and turn the knob to compare the receive on each one. I could do the same thing with antennas except I only have one and a dummy load. If I key up, I turn the others off. Even though it grounds the unused inputs it still pegs the meters. I have an extra cable for radios that make a guest appearance like the 980 with the 203 on top.

https://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-4726